Steve Jobs is no longer around but the qualities that enabled him to change the world are being passed on to future generations.

The Steve JobsSchools, launched in South Africa this year, are revolutionising teaching while using the national curriculum.Borrowing from the Apple computer founder's concepts, the school's teaching model is based on choice and collaboration, and is intended to equip pupils to make connections and contributions that will change the world.The children's individual development plan allows parents, teachers and the pupils to decide jointly on the school timetable every six weeks."Goal-setting is an important part of the process: it empowers pupils by continuously highlighting their strengths and weaknesses," said Margaret Sullivan, the principal of the Steve JobsSchool's Sundowner Campus in Randburg."After 48 years in teaching, I am thrilled to have lived long enough to see a change like this in the schooling system."Parents and teachers use software to track pupils' progress in real time."We have got to trust the children and hand the responsibility for their education and future over to them," said the Steve JobsSchools managing director, Ashlynne de Bruyn."They must be in class because they choose to be, not because they are forced to be," he added.The two Gauteng schools, the Randburg campus and one in Ruimsig, cater for pupils from grades 1 to 5, and are trialling the concept.The first was started in The Netherlands, where there are 12 schools, after the founder, Maurice de Hond, failed to find a school that would prepare his daughter for life in the 21st century.With one teacher to every 10 pupils, teachers are able to give pupils individual attention.Forget deathly hushes in the classroom - pupils at these schools are encouraged to express themselves while learning .Subjects taught include art, social skills and technology...